Mall of Qatar, the largest shopping and lifestyle destination in the country, has announced plans to set up a massive live entertainment arena in capital Doha at an investment of more than QR100 million ($27.4 million).

Nearly 1,000 performers have been casted from around the world (including Australia, the US, Africa and all over Europe) to find the best performers and hand-picked talent for the shows.

The crew comprises professional costume tailors, lighting designers, stage managers, sound technicians, scenery carpenters and make-up artists who will work behind the scenes day after day to deliver a theatrical experience.

During the performance, up to 25 dancers, singers, actors and acrobats can be seen live on stage.

This unique free entertainment concept, brought to life by a cast and crew of more than 50 international theatre professionals, will be mall-wide with the seven main shows performing within the heart of the mall at the Oasis, said a statement from Mall of Qatar.

The Oasis is covered by an impressive 6,000 sq m glassed dome of 30-m height that is carried by four giant steel trees, said a statement from Mall of Qatar, it stated.

The focal point of the Oasis is a 15-m diameter 360-degree rotating stage with a central hydraulic lift, theatrical sound and lighting, high wire rigging, special effects and animated water features. The shows have been custom developed by theatrical productions experts, Premium Projects, based in Germany, it stated.

Elaborating on the new entertainment venue, Rony Mourani, the general manager said: "Mall of Qatar and Premium Projects are developing a unique entertainment package which has never been presented in a mall before: All shows and acts are custom-designed for Mall of Qatar to ensure a unique signature experience."

"With its highly innovative proposition, Moqlive is intrinsic to Moq's entire marketing push. It is also central to Moq's districting and tenant mix. Moqlive will consistently drive prime customer traffic across the entire mall for all tenants," stated Mourani.

According to him, this will set to further reinforce the mall’s status as the first live entertainment destination premiering the world’s first resident troupe in a mall.

Officials announced that Moqlive will encompass live concerts, entertainment, and mall activities, covering 52 weeks of programming.

In addition to proprietary shows, other producer or vendors will use the stage for showing their own content.

This can be on the stage lift, a car presentation, a fashion show, kids amusement or similar. For these events the stage ring can be entered by the audience by using the bridges and railings.

By using the LED screens in the down position (stage level) as seen in the picture, football games or any other video content can be shown. The audience can stand or sit within one of the numerous casual dining restaurants and cafes around the pond watching same content on each of the four curved LED screens.

According to Mourani, the Premium Projects is currently in the development stage of the signature shows for Mall of Qatar with an international team of choreographers; costume designers; musical directors; art directors and circus trainers.

The assigned crew has worked on productions in 40 countries for well-known musicals, TV productions and large scale events. Hours of music are currently being re-recorded to adapt well-known melodies into new soundscapes or new songs composed from scratch in a recording studio, he stated.

The Qatari retail destination said the show storyboards have been finalised and more than 3,000 costume pieces have been designed to invite the visitors to discover lavish fantasy worlds and are currently in production at a costume-workshop in Germany.

Nearly 400 different materials are being used for assembling the fantasy costumes from sparkling rhinestones to rusty gear wheels, from heavy velvet to special lycra used for the acrobats and even real pearls will be hand-stitched to one of the costumes, it observed.

Mourani said the mall fully embodies the retailtainment concept and offers a great variety of entertainment options for the whole family.

"We are confident that everyone will enjoy Moqlive events that will make our Mall the destination for our valued guests from within Qatar, the Middle East and beyond,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service